Archive for the ‘China Travel Guides’ Category

For those looking for a different cultural experience, or even just a great holiday destination, then adding Malaysia to your travel list will not disappoint. A Malaysian holiday can be a relaxed resort style getaway on one of the islands such as Sabah or Langkawi, bargain shopping and sight-seeing in the capital Kuala Lumpur, or perhaps a combination of both to let you experience the diversity of this amazing country.

For first time travelers to Malaysia there are several tips that will make your holiday less stressful and infinitely more enjoyable, such as:

Check Health Warnings
Before leaving for Malaysia visit your family doctor to check health warnings for the area you intend to visit. If you intend to do any hiking or rainforest walks then you will need to start taking malaria tablets around a week before your departure. Your family doctor will be able to advise of any other precautions or medications that you need.

Airport Transfers
By far the easiest and cheapest way to get from the airport into the capital is via the KLIA Express (airport express train). The train is very modern with video screens showing points of interest and things to do in Malaysia while you enjoy a comfortable ride into Kuala Lumpur in around 35 minutes. Using a bus or taxi transfer will normally take around one hour by comparison and cost a little more. An added convenience when using the KLIA Express to connect with a departing flight is the facility to book your luggage onto your flight from the central train station in Kuala Lumpur (providing you do this at least 2.5 hours before your flight).

Taxi Fares
Always ask how much the fare will be to get to your destination before getting into the taxi. Taxi fares in Malaysia are for the most part quite reasonable however at times a naive traveler can be easy pickings, especially on a return trip from an outlying area so be sure to ask for the cost of the fare beforehand and if it seems too high then you can usually find another taxi to get a better deal. The exception to this however is during peak hours in Kuala Lumpur when you will pay more because of traffic delays. Your hotel concierge can advise you on what the busiest traffic times are likely to be. Planning your movements around the capital outside of these times will save you money if you’re on a tight budget.

Don’t drink the tap water
To reduce your chances of having your holiday ruined by tummy upsets it is wise not to consume the local tap water. During your stay keep these points in mind:
1) Clean your teeth and toothbrush with bottled water.
2) Remember to specify “No Ice” when ordering cocktails or mixer drinks. (Many of the more up-market resorts and hotels have ice that has been made using filtered or bottled water which is perfectly safe, however if you wish to be extra cautious then it is safer to forgo the ice).

Buy personal items from a supermarket
Make purchases of personal care items such as sunscreen, toothpaste or bottled water from a local supermarket instead of the resort or hotel where you are staying. Although the prices of these items may not seem too expensive you will normally find a supermarket or small convenience store somewhere close to the resort where these items are up to a third of the price that you will pay at the resort. Any money you save on these purchases can be used for souvenir shopping instead.

Restaurants
When you’re staying in regional areas and choosing somewhere to eat keep in mind that you are no longer in a western country. Malaysia is a relatively poor country which is more evident in outlying areas than it is in the capital. While in your home country a restaurant in a run down looking building could indicate a possible health risk this is not the case in regional areas of Malaysia as many of the buildings are old because of the general poverty of the population. The best guide for choosing a restaurant is if the local people are happy eating there it is a good indication that the food is safe.

Keep valuables concealed
Always keep wallets, purses, mobile phones etc in your pockets or backpack to avoid the attention of pickpockets, especially in larger cities. Although not a major problem any large population has its share of thieving so it is best to keep your valuables secure. It is also wise to carry your backpack on the front of your body in certain areas such as the china town markets in Kuala Lumpur where it can be quite crowded giving pickpockets a chance to access valuables within the outer compartments of a backpack.

Malaysia is a great holiday destination with excellent shopping, friendly people, wonderful scenery, and delicious food and by following these simple tips you’ll have such a memorable time you’ll want to return again and again

There are many possible means of transportation when you are backpacking. Train and boat can be laid back and relaxing or it can be a complete nightmare. Here is some advice to help you avoid the latter.

Train

Trains can be quite convenient since it is easy to get up and walk around during your trip. If you don’t have a specified seat you might have to be quick when the train arrives. People waiting first in line to get on the train might put clothes and handkerchiefs on multiple seats. Brute force may sometimes be the only option to get a good seat.

Personal Experience

The Japanese Journey

I was on an organized tour in Japan. We were going to take a Shinkansen bullet train to travel out in the country side. As the train rolled away from the station we started to relax and enjoyed the beautiful sights rolling by and the lush nature. After one hour the tour guide realized he had left his bag at the station. After we reached our destination and had settled into our hotel he took the train back to the station and lo and behold: 4 hours after we had left the station the bag was still where he had left it!

Boat

Check where the life jackets and life rafts are located and what to do in an emergency situation. Some ferries have first class tickets on the lowest floor, e.g. China, which may not be so attractive if you travel in an old second-hand ferry with questionable floating capabilities.

Personal Experience

The Zanzibar Storm

I was taking the ferry from Zanzibar back to the mainland. Always the wise guy (as you may have noticed by now…) I started humming the theme song from the movie Titanic (My heart will go on). I had barely ended when a storm hit us with huge waves which broke the electronic equipment and people screaming everywhere (though I am not sure if it was because of the storm or my singing). Kharma seems to have a way of getting back at you…

World tour is always associated with fun and excitement as there is a plethora of picturesque sites that can be unraveled during the world tours. You can simply cherish all those beautiful moments that you will spend in the lap of Mother Nature during these visits. Be it Switzerland, Italy, Rome or China, all are blessed with serene beauty that mesmerize the senses in an exotic way.

But what if you do not have any information about whereabouts of places that must be visited? What if you miss out prominent attractions that are a must visit? And what if somebody misguides you during your world tour and you end up just repenting? All these questions seem quite natural when one visits to world cities, so, it is better to take the assistance of vacation tour operators that will guide you at every step so as to make your trip a rocking experience for lifetime.  

World travel tour becomes really a blessing when one takes the help of vacation tour operators as their services are designed to give you comfort and pleasure during your vacationing. Be it airline booking, hotel reservation, cab services, mascot selection, visa availability, or currency exchange, vacation tour operators are specialized in catering to the customers with all of them in the most effective manner.

The best part of obtaining their services is that they make your entire world travel tour hassle free. Once you pay them money, they take care of all the chores and you are left with no tensions about the upcoming trip. In other words, your world travel tour becomes a splendid experience.

The vacation tour operators even help you in making last minute variations in the airline booking. This seems impossible when you have to do it on your own but when this duty falls upon the vacation tour operators; they manage the entire operations in an efficient way.

Even if you are not willing to carry cash along with you, vacation travel tour also provides the facilities of banking so that you do not come across any kind of hassle. So, use their services and explore the beauties of world in a better way.

When traveling on a budget, one of the most often asked questions is whether it is best to travel independently, reserving your own airfare, hotel stay and sightseeing reservations, or choose a package tour where everything is set up for you in advance.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. It is largely dependent on the location you have selected and dates of travel. For instance, travel to European destinations are often less costly to book on your own, especially when the airlines are running specials of European airfares in the off-season.

On the other hand, travel to many exotic locations, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, and India, are often much less expensive when booked through a vacation package company or travel agent. That is because these tour operators often have special deals with the national airlines of these companies, and with very nice resort hotels, to provide considerable discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For instance, with a little bit of shopping, you can book a vacation package from New York to Egypt for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is far less than you would have paid if you had booked this trip independently.

Similar deals exist for other locations, notably India, China, and Taiwan. So be sure to check on the availability of these package deals when shopping for a budget travel deal.

Of course, some great deals can be had on your own as well, and this is often a great way to go, especially if you are a solo traveler. Solo travelers often have difficulty getting those great deals on package deals, since the required single supplement can often ruin the deal.

It is also important to find out exactly what is, and what is not included, in any package you are considering. Many package deals have optional excursions built in, and these extras can add considerable cost. Be sure to ask for a detailed daily itinerary to determine if you will be left on your own if you fail to take these optional. Also ask for a detailed list of these optional excursions, including full descriptions and prices, and then carefully compare the total price to what you could find on your own.

If you are traveling on your own, be sure to start shopping early, especially if you are traveling by air. The important thing to remember is that airlines allocate only so many seats for those advertised low fares, and if you fail to act quickly, you may be out of luck. It is important to book the airfare, and the hotel, as early as possible to ensure the lowest possible prices.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to choose a vacation package deal or independent travel is up to each individual traveler. It is important to carefully compare package prices with those for independent travel to the same location. It is also important to consider your own personal travel style. Some people are more comfortable with a packaged tour, particularly to an unfamiliar location, while others relish the freedom from schedules that independent travel provides.

When you have to travel on a budget, one of the biggest questions is whether it is best to plan each part of your trip independently, making separate airfare and hotel reservations, or to opt for a package deal where everything is included for one price.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one east answer to this dilemma, because it depends on where you want to go, and what deals are available at the time. For example, traveling to many to European cities is often less costly to arrange yourself, especially in the off-season, when airlines are running specials on flights to Europe.

On the other hand, if you want to travel to an exotic place, like Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, or Asia, it is often less expensive and easier when arrange by a package company or travel agent. This is due in part to travel agencies having special deals with the national airlines and resorts of these countries, and they are able to provide substantial discounts in exchange for a steady flow of business.

For example, last year I traveled solo to Egypt from New York for a grand total of $1,100, including airfare, an excellent hotel, daily breakfast, airport transfers, and daily sightseeing tours, including guided tours of the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. This is a far better deal than I could have arranged on my own, since airfare alone would have cost over $700. The secret of this great deal was the relationship of the tour operator with Egypt air and the hotel at which we stayed.

There are similarly great deals for many Asian locations, particularly India, China and Taiwan. Make sure to research the availability of these types of package deals when looking to travel abroad on a budget.

Solo travelers often have trouble getting the great deals on travel packages, since the required single increase can often make the deal not worth it. Don’t despair; there are great deals out there if package deals are too expensive or aren’t your thing, and it is often a better option, especially if you are traveling alone.

One important tip is to find out exactly what is and isn’t included in any package deal that you are considering. Most travel packages include optional excursions, which can add considerable expense, and blow your budget. Try to get a detailed daily schedule to make sure you won’t be on your own if you don’t buy into the options. It’s also a good idea to ask for a list of the optional outings available, including descriptions and costs, so that you can compare what the price would be to what you could arrange on your own.

If you are traveling alone, make sure you start planning ahead, especially when it comes to airfare arrangements. The important thing to remember is that there are only a certain number of first come, first serve seats the advertised low fares, and if you wait too long you won’t get the lower rate. It is important to reserve your airfare and your lodging as early as possible to make sure you get the best available prices.

In the end, the decision whether to choose a package deal or independent travel an individual decision based on the traveler’s situation. Make sure to carefully compare package prices with those for independently arranging travel to the same destination. And don’t forget to take your own personal travel style into account. Some people are more cut out for a packaged tour, particularly to an new destination, while others prefer the freedom from itineraries that independent travel offers.

Wondering where to go? In the Caribbean travel and life, that is no big problem. Just scroll down below to find whatever it is you are looking for balmy weather, clear blue skies, glorious seas, luxurious lodgings, fine food, sports, sights, entertainment, and even lazy days for lovers, all under the warmth of the sun.

Textual Map

Well, it is a bit difficult to describe the place in geographic terms. Just know that the region is actually a group of islands, territories, and countries located just south and east of the Gulf of Mexico and right in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. The following are the islands that are favorite travel and life destinations since time immemorial. Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Arubam, The Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saba and St. Eustatius, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and St. Martin, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Island, and U.S. Virgin Islands

Activities

There are many exciting activities available to you throughout the Caribbean. In fact, this is one of the reasons why this travel and life is so popular among visiting tourists. Because when you are on the islands, it does not matter who or what you are the islands always have something to offer for everyone.

This travel and life offer all inclusive resorts where you can enjoy everything for a single price. One of the popular places that offer all inclusive travel and life is Sandals, located in the Castries area of the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia.

The resort offers two properties St. Lucia Regency Golf Resort and Spa, a couples only resort of over 200 acres of rolling hills and a beautiful half mile beach, and the Sandals Halcyon, another couples only resort. This travel and life all inclusive packages are geared towards awesome beaches, a great scuba diving program, water sports, and fitness centers.

If you like casino gaming, Caribbean travel and life offers you that as well. Head on over to Belize, Puerto Rico, Jamaica where the groovy beats of the island makes for excellent island flavored nightlife. Play a game of chance and feel like you are re in Las Vegas as you pit fortunes with the house and maybe win a few chips here and there over a round of roulette. Then quench your thirst with a few glasses of sparkles as you laugh and talk and socialize to your hearts content.

Besides fun and socializing, this travel and life also offers you a chance to get closer to nature. The offers several ecotourism where a guide takes you into the deepest rainforest reservoir where you can experience first hand some of the rarest and oldest species of flora and fauna found on earth.

Other activities you can enjoy in a Caribbean travel and life include, Children programs, Cuisine, Golf, Health and fitness spas, Meeting and conventions, Participation sports, Sailing and charter boats, Scuba diving, Spectator sports, Water sports and Weddings and honeymoons.

From 27th till 29th of November 2007 EIBTM was organized in Barcelona. This is a yearly world fair for the Incentive and Events Business. For the first time World of DMC’s opened a stand there.

The member DMC’s from all over the world showed Travel Agents and Incentive Houses their passion for their destinations. Visitors found wonderful ideas for incentive travel and events organization worldwide. And for these local travel agents in different far away countries it was a unique opportunity to share ideas and experiences.

What is and offers a DMC?

* a destination management company or a travel agent in a destination

* all the local contacts to organize a creative incentive travel experience

* all the local contacts to organize a congress or an event

* hotel bookings, excursions, transfers, guides, conference venues, restaurant facilities etc.

What is and offers World of DMC’s?

* a professional association of Destination Management Companies

* a joint platform for its members to comunicate towards the incentive houses and travel agents

* a presence at the major trade fairs in the incentive industry world wide

* a number of yearly road shows in specific countries to meet potential clients

* presence on the internet with their website www.dmc.travel

World of DMC is not an independent marketing bureau. They are no more then the members themselves. The board consists of members and they have no staff other then the members. They don’t pay commisions to anyone and work each for the benefit of all. The different members for instance help in a discretional and professional way their clients to get to know other member DMC’s in other countries for ideas about future incentive trips.

What are the criteria for DMC’s to join?

* professionalism proved by years of experience and having renowned clients

* dedication towards marketing yourself in trade fairs and on the internet

* dedication to actively promote the association

* only one member per destination, re-elected every year

* yearly membership fees and stand fees in the trade shows

The association is actually founded with the purpose to improve the communication between Incentive Houses, Travel Agents and Events and Congresses Bureaus on the one side and Destination Management Companies on the other side. By applying to the association travel agents come in contact with a qualitative and professional agent in the required destination and will get ideas about the organization of an incentive trip or a congress or event. There are no fees. It is the easy solution for Incentive Travel and Events Organization worldwide.

At present there are members in the following destinations:

Africa: Egypt, Kenya, Mauritius, Namibia, South Africa, Tunisia, Zimbabawe.

Asia: Brunei, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam.

Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Russia, Slovakia,Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom.

Middle East: Jordan, United Arab Emirates.

North America: California, Costa Rica, Cuba, Florida, Jamaica, New York, Panama.

South America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Peru.

If you missed them in Barcelona or want to meet them again they are happy to announce their participation to Imex from the 22nd til the 24th of April 2008 in Francfort. They will have an even bigger stand with participation of delegates of their member DMC’s from over 20 countries. When you visit them you feel the hospitality they will give your clients when they visit them back home.

On the World of DMC website you get to know the member countries of this non-profit professional association. They are all dedicated Destination Management Companies with years of experience. You can also send a mail with the Destination Companies you want to meet at the IMEX fair and they will arrange that they contact you directly for an appointment.

However, you can save money by outsourcing because you won’t be paying for employer payroll tax expense (FICA, FUTA and SUTA) workman’s compensation and general liability insurances, vacation time, sick time, health insurance and other benefits a good full time bookkeeper will expect from his/her employer. Review every aspect of your professional status: Review your CE requirements, renew your license(s), pay dues to your professional organizations, and be sure your liability insurance coverage is adequate and current. Before You Start a cleaning business, obtain your local & state business licenses; bonding insurance, and liability insurance if needed.

And of course you will not be paying workman’s compensation and general liability insurance premiums, product liability insurance, for example. My client owns a car with liability insurance limits of $300,000, but she purchased the insurance from GEICO whose salesperson didn’t sell her underinsured coverage.

65% employer’s share of FICA and medicaid, or SUTA or FUTA expense, or workman’s compensation and general liability insurance premiums. The lessor has to provide fire and other necessary insurance cover for the building and both parties are required to have a general liability insurance cover. You will however need to purchase your employer liability insurance through a separate commercial insurer.

It is all too common for individual property owners to be sued for seemingly frivolous reasons, so it is vital for all property owners to carry a sufficient amount of liability insurance to protect themselves and their personal assets. Minnesota recognizes an indemnity bond, liability insurance policy or letter of credit from a financial institution. Michigan is a mix of no-fault and standard liability insurance.

But even so general aviation was not breaking any speed records prior to that due to high fuel costs, nothing like today, but high never the less and liability insurance costs due to outrageous litigation costs and kangaroo court awards.

Online Insurance

Finding cheap California automobile insurance online can be significantly easier than completing the process in person, because rates can vary wildly between different companies in California. Buy your car insurance online as you may find you can get a discount for buying online. There are several online insurance portals that offer to give you an annuity quote instantly.

Car pooling once in a week is another thing advisable to qualify for your mileage discounts on car online insurance. Dealing with the online insurance broker was a simple task, but I soon discovered that they were an extra step in the application process, one that only slowed down our approval. Clearly state out your details: By providing proper information about your marital status, miles covered annually, car’s safety features you will reduce the probability of insurance company defaulting on your auto online insurance quotes and charging high rates.

Also purchasing travel insurance online works out cheaper than through an agent, as you don’t have to pay agents, but you need to be fully aware of your requirements. Selling life insurance online is not the same as selling in an office. There are actually two ways that you can apply for Florida health insurance online.

This is where a boat insurance online quote can really make a big difference. Check out all the brokers and online insurance companies for the best quote. Keep your mileage low: Lesser your annual mileage is, lesser you pay on your auto online insurance.

When I bought my first plane ticket to China a few years ago it cost around $2000 round-trip, and my travel insurance cost me over $500 because I didn’t shop around for cheap travel insurance online. Some of the online insurance websites are quite good; they provide plenty of information for free.

One of the biggest misconceptions about travelling is that shorter trips cost less than the longer ones. The reality shows that a month-long journey is not only cheaper than 4 one-week vacations. It can also cost about the same as one-week vacation. Likewise, taking a year off to travel can easily be at a better value plus a more memorable experience than a decade of hurried, two-week vacations.

The secret here is not merely a matter of budgeting- it is a matter of mindset. Here are strategies, on how to adopt a mindset that can make a long-term journey affordable:

1) Do not purchase your travel specifics in advance. As wonderful as that Ugandan Safari looks in the promotional literature of a travel company, searching for the same experience when you arrive in Africa will be much less expensive – and you’ll save yourself the trouble of adhering to a fixed date. The same goes for air travel. A discounted “round-the-world” flight ticket may very well seem tempting but it’s generally better to buy a one-way ticket to your first destination and plan your ongoing transportation as you go. Not only is it cheaper this way, it allows you a more organic experience – since you’ll have a much better feel for your journey.
As a general rule, remember that pre-packaged adventures and prior arrangements – even those touted under the phrase “budget travel” – are for people who can only spare a few days away from home.
 Long-term travel is all about setting your own pace and finding your own way – and you can rest assured that everything you see in a glossy brochure in Milwaukee will be just as available when you arrive independently at your destination.
2) Go slow
One of the advantages of long-term travel is that it allows you to see and experience things at your own pace. This will ultimately save you money, since a slower travel tempo better integrates you into the local economy, and allows you to wander around and find your own adventures.
Hence, when planning, don’t aspire to “do” Central America in six weeks; you’ll have a much more vivid (and economical) experience if you limit yourself to a country or two. Similarly, don’t plan to “do” Asia in six months; instead, aim to see a part of it, like the Northeast, or India. And – even if you have a year to play with – trying to cram five continents into a single travel is a sure path to exhaustion. Long-term travel shouldn’t be approached like bulk shopping: The value of your travels does not rely on the number of stamps you have got in your passport when you get home – and the slow experience of a single country is always better (and more affordable) than the hurried, superficial experience of 10 countries.
3) Trying out the local hotels
A great way to save money and have an enhanced travel experience is to sidestep international hotels and tour companies. Instead of luxury chain hotels, seek out clean basic, hostels and local guesthouses. Instead of flying from place to place, take local buses, trains, and shared taxis. Instead of dining at fancy restaurants, eat food from street vendors and local cafeterias. Within the local economy, one can take a train from one end of China to the other for what it costs to gas up an SUV back home. For the price of a home-delivered pepperoni pizza, one can eat great meals for a week in Thailand. For a month’s rent in any major American city, one can spend a year in a beach hut in Nicaragua. Moreover, even the industrialized parts of the world host enough hostel networks and camping opportunities to make long-term travel affordable.
This principle also applies to day-to-day life on the road. Shop for food in local farmers’ markets instead of continually seeking out processed supermarket food and restaurant meals (you’ll end up healthier for the experience). Moreover, shopping and sleeping in local economies will help you understand how local residents live.
In the event of lack of money for urgent travelling needs, you can always count on the internet to guide your wy out of the mess. Why not try out Paydaybank website to resolve your financial travelling needs? Payday Bank and My Payday are a reliable short term loan organization based in the United Kingdom and offer you affordable loan rates with no credit history check whatsoever.

What should we do on this Spring break? Should we make a tour of a foreign country which is tremendously beautiful and gorgeous, with its culture, its fine scenery and its dishes enhancing the beauty of the country? If so, come to Vietnam, and travel with a professional guide to take you on a wonderful trip.
Mr. Chu believes that Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the entire world. It’s not only the beauty that brings people to visit Vietnam. But it’s also about its culture, its food and its people. “You will never experience anything else anywhere in the world with its beautiful bays and islands, ancient temples, and its world famous grottoes and caves. It is also full of delicious and tasty dishes,” Mr. Chu said.
The first place to visit is Hanoi, the cradle of the Vietnamese culture and civilization. “It is not only the capital of the present day Vietnam, but was the capital a thousand years ago, too, ” Mr. Chu said. In the year 2010 Hanoi will celebrate its 1000th anniversary.
South of Hanoi, along the coast is Hue. “Up to now, there are no places in Vietnam that retain a lot of original historical vestiges as in this old capital city,” Mr. Chu. “Hue was a capital of Vietnam under the reign of kings of the Nguyen,” he said. The kings wanted everyone to remember their dedication to scholars of Confucianism. They told skilled masons (builders) to carve many beautiful tablets for themselves and scholars in the Temple of Literature.
There are now only 34 tablets of the Nguyen Dynasty of great cultural and historic value remaining. On these tablets were written the names, ages, and places of births of 239 of the most successful candidates in the Nguyen dynasty.
In spite of wars and weather, in Hue there still exist hundreds of pagodas built more than 300 years ago and 1000 temples built in the early 18th century. “In December 1993, Hue was recognized as a world cultural heritage site by UNESCO (United Nations Education, Science, and Children’s Organization),” Mr. Chu said. Hue is also an important center of Buddhism.
North of Hanoi is Halong Bay which is on the South China Sea. Halong Bay is known as the one of the most beautiful and most famous bays. “It has been recognized as a world natural heritage by UNESCO for its thousands of natural islands,” Mr. Chu said. These islands represent the most ancient images of a very old geographical site. The processes of erosion and weathering have created the unique Halong Bay. In a small area, “thousands of islands with different forms look like virgins by the blue sky with sunshine spreading light on the bay to make a shining surface,” Mr. Chu said. “From a boat tourists can see the bottom of the sea because the sea is so clean and very clear.”
Traveling around Vietnam, tourists should not miss the taste of Vietnamese dishes. The most popular Vietnamese dish is Pho. Pho has been a popular dish for all Vietnamese people since a hundred years ago.
Pho is made of beef. Pho may have some other kinds of meat. For the best taste, Pho always goes with beef. If you want to change the taste of beef, chicken can be a good choice.
Two types of delicious and very popular cakes with Vietnamese people are Banh Chung and Banh Giay. Banh Giay is a rounded convex cake of glutinous rice, white dough, soft and sticky. At the top of the cake, is a shape said to be the shape of the heavenly vault.
“Banh Chung is served during the first three days of the first month of the lunar calendar,” Mr. Chu said. It is square cake, wrapped in banana leaves, and tied with lacings of flexible bamboo slivers. It is a very rich food made of bean paste to which maybe added small bits of pork meat, both fat and lean.
This filling is pressed between layers of glutinous rice. “Its square shape is considered a symbol of thankfulness of the Vietnamese people to the Mother Earth which helps them with nutritious food throughout the four seasons of the year,” Mr. Chu said.
How are you feeling at this moment? Aren’t you fascinated, excited and so willing to take a tour in Vietnam for Spring break? “Seeing is believing, so the best way to enjoy a tour program is to go by overland,” Mr. Chu said. “I guarantee you will enjoy it and have a wonderful trip in Vietnam, a popular tourist destination in the world.”
Recommended reading about Vietnam culture, history, traditional custom and more from http://www.indochinaguides.com